1. Emergency Operations with Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
Firefighter I

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3. SCBA Restrictions and Limitations
Physical factors that can effect confidence
Poor physical condition – you must be in good physical condition to maximize your work performance and extend your air supply
Agility – SCBA can limit movement and affect balance. It is important that firefighters have good balance. Conditioning exercises can minimize the effect of SCBA on your agility
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4. SCBA Restrictions/Limitations (continued)
Physical factors that can effect confidence
Facial features
Maintain a good face seal
Industry standards do not allow for firefighters to have facial hair that prevents a good seal
Eyeglasses and contact lenses can also be a problem if not worn according to industry standards (See standards NFPA 1500 and OSHA CFR )
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5. Confined Spaces and Inherent Hazards
Oxygen deficient atmospheres
Atmospheres with less than 18.5% oxygen
Grain storage bins
Caves and underground tunnels
Basements and cellars with limited access or egress
Extreme temperatures
Cave-ins and collapsed buildings
Flooded areas of standing water or other liquids
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6. Anticipation of Problems
Pre-incident planning
Training
Incident Action Plans (IAPs) – an air management system should be part of the department’s IAP to prevent firefighters from advancing into confined spaces further than their air supply will allow them to safely
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7. Delay Entrance Until an IAP is developed
Stage the Incident Commander (IC) outside hot zones because of inherent hazards at the scene (not obstructing the entrance)
Understand the tactical problems that exist
Ventilation
Rescue
Lighting
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8. Negotiating Restricted Openings
Slip out of the SCBA backpack and harness while leaving the face piece in place
Put the backpack and harness assembly back on after negotiating the restricted area. While doing so
Reduce your profile
Push the SCBA in front of yourself while maintaining control at all times
Continue to breathe through your face piece (do not remove it)
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9. Areas of Limited Visibility
Move about by staying low (crawling)
Feel with a tool as you move slowly, negotiating where you are
If you can see the floor, you may be able to “duck walk” or walk in a crouched position. This is faster, but more dangerous than crawling.
Always operate in teams of two or more
Use a tag line
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10. Emergency Procedures For SCBA Failure
Conserve air and retreat immediately
SCBA regulator malfunction
Intermittently open and close the bypass (purge) valve to allow air into your face piece
Close it after each breath to conserve air, and open it again when you need another breath
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11. Emergency Procedures For SCBA Failure (continued)
Recommended actions
Remain calm
Control your breathing
Alert your team members
Withdraw to a safe atmosphere
With other members of your team
Use available exits or create one if necessary
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12. Emergency Procedures For SCBA Failure (continued)
Recommended actions (continued)
Use your radio to declare a “Mayday”
Follow your department’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
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13. Emergency Procedures For SCBA Failure (continued)
Recommended actions (continued)
Activate the Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) device
You may be able to follow the fire hose by using the couplings to indicate the direction of travel (male indicates the direction of the exit)
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14. Emergency Procedures For SCBA Failure (continued)
Recommended actions (continued)
Crawl in one direction, making all right-hand or all left-hand turns; be consistent
Make noise; get someone’s attention
Lay flat and stay close to the wall so you can be easily found
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15. Emergency Procedures For SCBA Failure (continued)
Recommended actions (continued)
If you become separated from your crew
Follow your department’s SOP
Describe your surroundings
Control your environment as best you can (example: keep doors closed unless it is an escape route)
Slow your breathing as much as possible to conserve air
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16. Resources
, Essentials of Firefighting (5th Edition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA).
Photographs used with permission from IFSTA (Title slide, Slides 6 – 10 and 12)
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